IMO the .357 Magnum is the most powerful load in a handgun thats still practical for self defense , due ot recoil issues (pain that keeps you form trianing enough), cost of Ammo, etc etc.

357 Magnum is all you need to knock down anyone.

PS:Its also available commercially in extra hot FMJ loads with as much energy as a lower range 44 Mag , and so I would not be surpsied it it penetrate some body armor a commercial 44 Mag in LRN of HP would not ( even though of course you coudl load the 44 Mag even hottter and out in in FMJ)

Bluez, it depends on the pistol and the person and the load they are using.

i practice quite a bit with my 44 using 44Spl. loads. even with my Magnum reloads, i can control both quite well, even one-handed.

i bought three different sets of grips to find the ones that would allow me to control the recoil.

i shoot much more 44 Spl. loads than Magnum loads, but i still both on a regular basis.

IMO, it comes down to choosing the right pistol, choosing the right load and then lots of practice. with my Spl. loads, i can easily group 2-3" at 10 yards. with the Magnum loads about 3-5" groups at 10 yards.

Bluez, it depends on the pistol and the person and the load they are using.

i practice quite a bit with my 44 using 44Spl. loads. even with my Magnum reloads, i can control both quite well, even one-handed.

i bought three different sets of grips to find the ones that would allow me to control the recoil.

i shoot much more 44 Spl. loads than Magnum loads, but i still both on a regular basis.

IMO, it comes down to choosing the right pistol, choosing the right load and then lots of practice. with my Spl. loads, i can easily group 2-3" at 10 yards. with the Magnum loads about 3-5" groups at 10 yards.

them 44 special loads just seem to slide out the barrel and go where you want them don't they? Nice and flat & soft shootin.

I wonder if Charter Arms would consider crankin' out a "Son of Sam Commemmorative" Bulldog model?
It could be engraved with a gold-filled head with a hole in it, and a slogan, "The Devil made me do it".
And autographed by Berkowitz

them 44 special loads just seem to slide out the barrel and go where you want them don't they? Nice and flat & soft shootin.

yes they do. both my Spl. and Magnum loads for my 44 are about mid-level in the powder charge. i use Alliant Power Pistol powder in all my pistol loadings. it seems to work very well in all my pistol loads and is very broad based in the different pistol cartridges in can be used in. i have had excellent results in my 45 ACP loads as well. when i start loading 40 S&W in the future is suppose to work well in it too.

I have been real pleased with my SW 629, I really can't double tap with it but a quick follow up shot is no problem. Recoil is powerful but I can manage it pretty well, at 7 to 10 yards I can easily hit a 4 inch circle on a 8 inch paper plate.

It all depends on why you carry a heavy centerfire handgun? Guns carried for defense against soft targets in more urban settings the .357 is a good choice. The .357 loaded with a 125 Grs. HP at maximum levels ranks very high on the Hatcher Scale.
The .44 Mag. is not a good choice as a carry gun for defense in urban settings. The .44 in any loading is a hunting weapon with the ability of deep penetration in any loading. This can be a liability where the chance of collateral damage is high.
The heavy framed .44 Mag built to take the .310 Grs. and the other 240 grs. plus loads is a great choice for the woodsman. This weapon can be used in an emergency against man or large beast.

yes they do. both my Spl. and Magnum loads for my 44 are about mid-level in the powder charge. i use Alliant Power Pistol powder in all my pistol loadings. it seems to work very well in all my pistol loads and is very broad based in the different pistol cartridges in can be used in. i have had excellent results in my 45 ACP loads as well. when i start loading 40 S&W in the future is suppose to work well in it too.

I don't reload yet, i'm going to soon seeing as I have saved 750 44 mag brass now once fired, but my s&w 629 6" loves anything 240gr@1200fps, I don't know what it is about that load but whether i'm 5 yards or 100 yards away from the target they hit right in the middle, really nice flat load I think.